Nearly 2 million families across the Valley are among the working poor, struggling between paychecks to make ends meet. Another 9,500 men, women and children experience homelessness in metro Phoenix, where U-Haul International has been headquartered since 1967.
To assist this at-risk population, organizations like The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix come together with caring partners like U-Haul® to host food drives.
And when a group brings in more than a half ton of food in one drive, they join a special club at SVdP: the 1,000 Pounds Club.
“When a company like U-Haul comes together to collect non-perishable food items for our food bank, they are not only providing meals for families, but they are also providing those in need the ability to put their paycheck toward bills and rent so they can keep their family in their home,” said Emily Radawec, Director of Drives & Partnerships at St. Vincent de Paul.
In May, U-Haul joined SVdP’s 1,000 Pounds Club after Team Members donated over 2,500 pounds of food and water in a single drive. That’s 1.25 tons! The contribution enabled nearly 100 families to receive food boxes with a large quantity of non-perishable cooking essentials.
On Sept. 4, members of the U-Haul External Communications team visited SVdP’s campus just south of downtown Phoenix to officially receive the honor and see the Company’s name added to the board.
“Hosting a food drive that equates to 1,000 pounds of food provides about 40 families with shelf-stable food for their pantries. By collecting food, you are keeping families in their homes — you are preventing homelessness,” Radawec added.
“U-Haul is a household name. When a name like that graces the 1,000 Pounds Club board, it only encourages others to join in our fight to end hunger.”
U-Haul Team Members in Arizona have volunteered at SVdP for decades. From preparing and serving Italian-style dinners in the SVdP dining hall to working phone banks for water drives, U-Haul never misses an opportunity to help its neighbors and support exemplary nonprofits.
Does U-Haul sound like a company you’d be interested in joining? Click on uhauljobs.com to find your next career.
